Connect with us

Pack in the Pros

Trea Turner Not the Leadoff Hitter for Washington Anymore?

Published

6 years ago

on

According to the Washington Post, the Nationals new manager Dave Martinez is planning on using Adam Eaton in the leadoff spot, instead of former NC State shortstop Trea Turner.

Martinez said if Eaton is healthy, he plans to make him a left fielder, which is no surprise given Michael A. Taylor’s emergence as a Gold Glove nominee in center. He also said he plans to hit Eaton in the leadoff spot, a more noteworthy declaration given the other leadoff option is Trea Turner, one of the fastest men in baseball.

Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo always liked Eaton as a leadoff man, with Turner hitting behind him. Eaton led off most of the games he played for the Nationals before he tore his ACL, though Turner began the season in that role before suffering a hamstring injury of his own. Eaton has a .360 career on-base percentage in that spot — highest of any spot in the lineup. Turner is a .299 career hitter with a .343 on-base percentage in that spot. (WP)

I understand that Martinez finds Eaton’s on-base percentage appealing, but taking Turner out of the leadoff spot limits his ability to swipe bases. Eaton can steal bases, but he is no Turner. Period.

Turner is arguably the most effective base stealer in the majors.

Over the past three years, Turner has spent 678 of his at-bats in the leadoff spot, and 53 in the 2-hole.

Leadoff – .299 average, .343 on-base percentage, .481 slugging percentage, .824 OPS, 78 stolen bases
2-Hole – .434 average, .464 on-base percentage, .736 slugging percentage, 1.200 OPS, 0 stolen bases

It will be interesting to see if Martinez sticks to his way of thinking come the beginning of the season next year. Yes, Turner seems to hit well in the #2 spot, but he has stolen 0 stolen bases there. What is more valuable for Washington?

Related Topics:

Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

Pack in the Pros

Former NC State G Terquavion Smith Earns a Spot on the 2023-23 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team

Published

4 days ago

on

April 19, 2024

By

Former NC State Guard Terquavion Smith earned a spot on the 2023-24 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team.

Smith averaged 22.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game for the Delaware Blue Coats. What’s crazy, is that he only started in 3 of the 36 games he played in. With that being said, he averaged 30.7 minutes per game. Smith shot 35.6% from three.

As a 2-way player, Smith also played 16 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 3.3 points in 5.3 minutes per game. He shot 37.1% from three.

Continue Reading

Pack in the Pros

NC State LB Payton Wilson Visited with the Steelers Yesterday

Published

6 days ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson had a Top-30 visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Wilson is the first Linebacker the Steelers have brought in.

Wilson has already had Top-30 visits with the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers.

PFF ranks Wilson as the #1 Linebacker in the 2024 Draft, and #26 on their Big Board.

1. LB PAYTON WILSON, NC STATE

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 26

Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense. (PFF)

Will someone take Wilson in the 1st round? Will he be a 2nd round pick? If he slips past that, that’s just stupid.

 

 

Continue Reading

Pack in the Pros

NC State’s DJ Horne Declares for the NBA Draft

Published

7 days ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

NC State Guard DJ Horne has officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DJ Horne (@djhorne)

Horne is trying to become the first Wolfpack player to be drafted since Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 6th pick in the 1st Round.

While Horne might not currently be projected to be drafted, he is trying to change that tune at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which begins tomorrow.

Horne is a special player, and genuinely possesses the skill set to compete at the next level. Whether he is drafted, or signs a 2-way contract, what he put on tape this year warrants a chance.





Continue Reading

Pack in the Pros

Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is Receiving Interest from NFL Teams

Published

1 week ago

on

April 13, 2024

By

Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is receiving interest from NFL teams. Thus far, those teams are the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, and Broncos.

Last season as a Senior, Jackson had 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for the Wolfpack. His Run Defense grade on PFF was 80.6, ranking 4th on the team.

According to current projections, Jackson projects to be taken on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, or picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.

Continue Reading